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Average Jumps at Del Mar Yearling Sale

The average price at Del Mar's yearling sale, $48,589, jumped a dramatic 40.8% over last year's figure and set a sale record Monday evening. The sale, held at the paddock at the Del Mar racetrack, saw 56 yearlings sell for $2,721,000. At last year's sale, 90 head sold for $3,105,500 for an average of $34,506.

Of the 56 yearlings sold, six went for more than $100,000.

The sale topper was a $250,000 Bertrando colt out of Rio Tejo, the dam of three stakes winners. The colt was purchased by California-based trainer John Sadler, who purchased him for an undisclosed buyer. The dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Berkey Bloodstock Services and was bred by Dr. Rick Arthur and Michael Arthur.

The colt is the ninth foal out of Rio Tejo, who was named the CTBA broodmare of the year for 2003-2004. Bred in Kentucky, Rio Tejo is out of a half-sister to Seattle Song.

The top-priced filly, by Benchmark out of Quiet Romance, brought $225,000 from Laura Stone, agent, for an undisclosed buyer. The dark bay or brown filly is a full sister to Silent Sighs. Winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I), Silent Sighs has earned $442,700 from four wins in six starts.

She was bred by Marty and Pam Wygod and consigned by their River Edge Farm.

Stone, for the same buyer, also signed a $130,000 ticket for a Bertrando -- Sound Wisdom colt.